Wound Care Question - Umm.. How do I know when I need stitches?

[Play-it-cool]

Um, usually when I cut myself its pretty deep, like it's about a cm wide and probably a little deeper. Usually I just put a face wipe (stops infection) and a bandage over it until the morning. Sometimes it's still bleeding in the morning but I just leave it until it all scabs over. My scars are usually really pink/purple and take months to fade to a normal scar-colour.
I didn't think much of this and didn't think I needed stitches at all but I fell over and had a cut on my hand which was a bit open but not like my s.h and I went to school resources and they gave me butterfly stitches and said if it opens up again I'd need proper stitches. So, does my normal s.h need stitches?

[Play-it-cool]

But it doesnt cause me problems, like it doesnt bleed more than i can handle and get infected

[Animad]

It sounds like it does. Anything that gapes that much, is down to fat, or, bleeds for longer than 10mins under pressure really should be stitched. Also, using a face wipe isn't an appropriate dressing. You should use a non-adherant dressing such as Melolin pads held on with a bandage/medical tape. Or an adhesive dressing. You can buy these from pharmacies/supermarkets

[deadstar]

It sounds as though your cuts do need stitches.
I normally make cuts about the same size as what you are describing, and i get them stitched if they are large or in an awkward place.
If you get them stitched instead of leaving them to heal on their own, the scars left will be a lot smaller and the chance of it getting infected will be much lower.
Also, i've seen people going to A&E to get much smaller cuts than the ones you are talking about stitched so people wouldnt think you were wasting their time at all.
Take care xxxxx

[Play-it-cool]

Thank you people.
And also, my mum's been talking about me getting a cosmetic skin graft through a private hospital to cover my scars because they really affect my confidence and I'm cutting right down so I know I can stop soon. Is this even possible?

[Animad]

There are different methods that plastic surgeons/dermatologists can use. 1 is skin grafting, others are the use of lasers to reduce the look/ severity of scars. Most of the time they won't do the surgery until you've stopped cutting for a set time length because of the possibility of them doing it and then you cutting up their hard work. They usually won't be able to get rid of all signs of scarring. It is better though to get stitches for cuts that need it straight off rather than just leaving it and deciding you'll leave it for now and get it sorted in years to come as it's not that simple and you're putting yourself at high risk of infecton.